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In a shocking incident that highlights a dangerous trend of sabotage attempts across India, three railway employees in Surat, Gujarat were arrested for allegedly tampering with rail tracks. The incident, which could have resulted in a tragic train derailment, was ultimately foiled by the timely intervention of the employees themselves, who alerted authorities after their act of sabotage. The motivation behind their actions, however, is a chilling testament to the desperation and misguided priorities that can exist within certain sectors. The employees, identified as Subhash Poddar, Manish Mistry, and Shubham Jaiswal, confessed to deliberately removing vital components of the tracks, including fishplates and keys, in an attempt to create a hazardous situation that would necessitate their deployment on night shifts. Their reasoning was simple: they craved the night shift so they could spend more time with their families during the day, a desire that led them to prioritize their personal convenience over the safety of countless passengers. This desire was further fueled by their ambition to be recognized for their 'efforts,' seeking praise and potential felicitations from their superiors.
The incident, which took place on September 21st, sent shockwaves throughout the railway system. While the employees' initial attempt at deception, claiming that they had discovered the sabotage by unknown miscreants, was quickly debunked by the authorities, their confession exposed a deeply troubling reality. The time interval between the tampering and the passing of a train was simply too short for an external party to have carried out the sabotage, a fact corroborated by the discovery of video evidence on the employees' mobile phones. The incident also highlights the critical need for improved security measures within the railway sector, as well as the importance of addressing underlying issues within the workforce that can lead to such desperate measures. The employees' desire for a night shift, seemingly driven by family obligations, underscores the need for a more balanced work-life environment for railway employees.
The incident comes at a time when the country is on high alert for potential train sabotage bids, with a recent incident involving an LPG cylinder found on rail tracks on the Kanpur-Prayagraj route further fueling concerns. In response to this heightened security threat, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has emphasized the railway administration's focus on bolstering security measures. He has stressed the importance of collaborative efforts with state governments, including the involvement of the NIA, to apprehend and bring to justice anyone involved in such acts of sabotage. The incident in Surat serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the railway system and the need for a multi-pronged approach to prevent future incidents. This approach must not only involve increased security measures but also a comprehensive examination of the working conditions and personal motivations of those entrusted with safeguarding the system, ensuring their well-being and addressing any underlying frustrations that might drive them to engage in such dangerous and reckless acts.
Source: Surat: 3 railway employees arrested for sabotaging tracks over nightshifts, felicitation